Prior to taking the Blue Jackets job prior to the start of the 2010-11 season, he spent four seasons as coach of the Manitoba Moose when that was the Canucks' top AHL team.

"We are thrilled to have Scott return to our organization," Canucks GM Mike Gillis said. "He has had a large impact on the development of a number of our current roster players and we are confident he'll again play an instrumental role in player development. Scott brings a great deal of character, experience and expertise to the head coaching position."

Arniel, 49, went 45-60-18 in 123 games with the Blue Jackets. He was fired by the Jackets on Jan. 9, with the team 11-25-5 after 41 games.

In four seasons with the Moose, Arniel won at least 40 games each season, including a franchise-record 50 in 2008-09, when the team advanced to the Calder Cup final. He also won that season's AHL coach of the year award.

Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@nhl.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK

He's only 17 but he can see the ice so well and he moves the puck and goes to the open ice all the time, so I just think he's a player that is ready to play in the NHL. I'm really looking forward to coaching someone like this.

— U.S. National Junior Team coach Ron Wilson on Auston Matthews, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft